The Ready-To-Go Bead format significantly reduces the number of pipetting steps, thereby increasing reproducibility of the RT-PCR technique and minimizing risk of contamination and RNA degradation. Ready-To-Go RT-PCR Beads are provided in either thin walled 0.5 ml or 0.2 ml tubes compatible with most thermocyclers. The 0.2 ml tubes come assembled in a 96-well (8 × 12) plate format that allows individual strips of eight tubes to be easily removed. This flexibility allows use of either the entire 96-well plate, strips of eight or individual 0.2 ml tubes. Each package of Ready-To-Go RT-PCR Beads contains: RT-PCR beads, control reactions and pd(N)6 and oligo(dT) cDNA primers.